CHEF GERARD VIVERITO

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There's a new trend in cooking called functional cooking and it takes healthy foods to the next level. Chef Gerard Viverito has some simple tips for adding all-natural, beneficial ingredients to foods that you may be already eating.

July 16, 2013 9:59:14 AM PDT

July 16, 2013 --

There's a new trend in cooking called functional cooking and it takes healthy foods to the next level. Chef Gerard Viverito has some simple tips for adding all-natural, beneficial ingredients to foods that you may be already eating.

These ingredients can actually increase your meal's nutritional value without changing its taste or texture, plus they are easy to find at your local grocery stores.

DIRECTIONS Place a large sauté pan over medium hig heat. Add the oil and heat until hot. Place the halibut fillets in the pan and sear to a light golden color. Gently remove, add the vegetables and heat until aromatic. Add the liquid and remaining ingredients except the cilantro to the pan, bring to a simmer, add halibut back to pan, and cover for 6 minutes or until halibut is just cooked through.

1. Make dressing: In mini-food processor, combine, garlic and chilies together and spin to rough chop. Add tamarind, lime juice, fish sauce and palm sugar. Process until all ingredients are combined. 2. Peel and cut open green papaya. Shred the papaya in a food processor. Place into a large wooden bowl. Add in beans, tomatoes and pound the ingredients with a mallet to release flavors. 3. Toss salad with dressing and half the peanuts. Serve on a bed of leaf lettuce, Top with more peanuts and garnish with thai basil and mint.

Chef Viverito is the Director of Culinary Education for Passionfish, a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching and promoting environmentally sound alternatives to endangered seafood species. He travels around the world educating, consulting and demonstrating cooking using sustainable seafood products to ensure fish for our future

Chef Viverito has dedicated a large part of his career to what he terms "functional cooking". This is where he adds nutritional ingredients to dishes to gain healthful results. He is well known for his ability to lower the glycemic index value of food, add omega fatty acids, and whole proteins to dishes without compromising the texture or taste. He appears regularly on radio and television programs demonstrating this as well as consulting clients on their dietary needs.